ABBA Voyage is a unique virtual concert in London that features the digital avatars of the iconic Swedish pop group ABBA accompanied by a band on stage. ABBA Voyage originally debuted back in May 2022 and is currently set to end in January 2026.
The concert is held at the ABBA Arena, which was specifically designed for this event at the Olympic Park in East London. The custom-designed arena was built because of the very specific technical requirements needed for the digital performance of the band members.
The concept of this concert started with exploring the possibility of creating digital versions of ABBA to be able to perform again, and allow a community and fans to come together and enjoy their songs live again.
The band itself formed back in 1972 with members Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad. They split in 1982 after both divorces amongst the band members. The group and their songs are legendary, and they were the first non-English speaking group to achieve consistent chart success across the globe. Their music and fashion style have transcended across generations, still seen as an iconic band today.
ABBA’s music was also heavily influential for the well-known Mamma Mia movies, as the musical films were built around their songs and helped create a narrative story that became iconic.
ABBA Voyage, over the past few years, has reunited the band for a new and older generation to enjoy, and a way to celebrate their musical legacy. The concert has also pushed the boundaries of live entertainment by creating realistic avatars through motion capture technology, featuring the group as they looked in the 1970s. The concert runs for 90 minutes with no interruptions, held every day of the week, and is family-friendly, welcoming all ages.
The digital concert’s setlist includes popular songs, ‘Lay All Your Love On Me’, ‘Voulez-vous’, ‘Waterloo’, ‘Fernando’, ‘SOS’, ‘Thank You For The Music’, and ends the night with their most popular song, ‘Dancing Queen’.
ABBA Voyage has a unique layout for the audience with auditorium seating, which also allows for accessible seating, a dance floor area creating a concert experience, and dance booths designed for smaller groups and pod-like spaces. This design has enhanced the immersive experience.
The arena holds 3,000 people, both sitting and standing, and the tickets are generally cheaper than a regular concert, as well as allowing for a slight discount for ticket-holders between the ages of 16-25.
This incredibly unique concert has played exclusively in London over the past few years, and there is still a chance to see this experience. You can get tickets here.
